How do I remove these trim panels?

Bill Lumbergh · Feb 26, 2006

I've got to fix a rattle, but I don't know how to remove the guilty panels without breaking them. Can anyone provide advice on their removal? Below is the panel. For clarification, both the driver's and the passenger's rattle.

[Broken External Image]:http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/rodgerboles/rattlepanelsmall.jpg

Thanks!

Allannde · Feb 27, 2006

I've got to fix a rattle, but I don't know how to remove the guilty panels without breaking them. Can anyone provide advice on their removal? Below is the panel. For clarification, both the driver's and the passenger's rattle.

I would worry about breaking it too. I have never tried to take one off. For reference, they are called Front Pillar Garnish Corner Piece, LH & RH. There appear to be two short strips moulded into the bottom of the panel which fit into slots and snap into place. If you could reach up under the moulding and press them toward the center of the car they would release. These strips are aligned fore and aft as the car faces and are about half way back and half way forward from the center point of the panel. It wouldn't surprise me if the way a shop would get that moulding off would involve removing the front of the instrument panel and the heater ducts so they could reach under the panel

Are you sure the rattle is coming from these panels? Does the sound stop when you touch them? If so, you might try warming them with a hair dryer to make them softer and then slipping in a shim. That might stop the noise with a minimum of work. The shim could be as simple as a folded up piece of paper or a thin piece of wood. The placement of the shim could be guided also by the location where pressing with your finger stops the noise.

Good Luck

Allan de
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glenk · Feb 27, 2006

Originally posted by Boxster...WRX...Prius?@Feb 26 2006, 09:53 PM
I've got to fix a rattle, but I don't know how to remove the guilty panels without breaking them.Â Can anyone provide advice on their removal?Â Below is the panel.Â For clarification, both the driver's and the passenger's rattle.

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My dealer left two pieces of thick plastic in the corner of the panels that touches the pillar and small window. I was wondering if this was done on purpose and perhaps rattles/squeaks occur in this area in some Prii.

Also, where did you get that dash cover? I have them on my other cars but haven't looked for one for my Prius yet.

aaf709 · Feb 27, 2006

Originally posted by glenk@Feb 27 2006, 04:42 PM
My dealer left two pieces of thick plastic in the corner of the panels that touches the pillar and small window.Â I was wondering if this was done on purpose and perhaps rattles/squeaks occur in this area in some Prii.

Also, where did you get that dash cover?Â I have them on my other cars but haven't looked for one for my Prius yet.

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Mine has those pieces of plastic too.

I also have a dash cover, by DashTopper. I ordered them from one of the Toyota dealers. They had samples so I could see which looked the best.

efusco · Feb 27, 2006

They come out easily....I just can't remember the sequence. IIRC you take off the vent cover. Then it snaps right out.

Mine rattled too, I took some weather stripping and strategicly placed it there to baffle it.

How do I remove these trim panels?

Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

Allannde Just a Senior

glenk Member

aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

efusco Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member

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How do I remove these trim panels?

Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

Allannde Just a Senior

glenk Member

aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

efusco Moderator Emeritus Staff Member

efusco Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member